Warning: Toy pet balls causing serious injuries to dogs.
I came by this via Orlando Sentinel's Animal Crazy blog and definitely want to spread the word...
Chai, a yellow Lab in the New York City area, had to have his tongue amputated after it got stuck in a red rubber "pimple ball" he was playing with. Chai's veterinarian said the problem was that as the dog chewed on the toy, a vacuum was created, sucking Chai's tongue inside. The frightened dog's tongue then began to swell, making it impossible for his owner to remove the ball and eventually circulation was cut off to the tongue.
A second hole in the toy would have prevented the vacuum effect.
Chai's owner wants the product, the pimple ball with bell made by Four Paws Inc (UPC Code 0 4566320227), to be recalled. And I bet that there are other dog balls out there that also may contain this design flaw.
Click here to see all the details on poor Chai's miserable experience (warning, some of the photos are a little distressing) and videos on how he is learning to eat again.
Another case was documented by the Log Cabin Animal Hospital in Indianapolis. Click here to read about Rosco, a young Shepard mix who also was treated because his tongue had gotten stuck into a ball. While this report doesn't give the make of the ball, it looks very similar to the one that injured Chai. And it clearly does not have a second hole.
Four Paws is based in New York. Click here for the information on how to contact them and demand this toy be recalled.
And check all plastic chew toys to ensure they have a second hole.
Please leave a comment if you have had a similar experience.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
I received this letter today from the manufacturer of one kind of pimple ball:
"From: Haley Birk
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:32 AM
Subject: RE: Pimple ball with bell
Thank you for your recent note expressing concern over the Four Paws® Pimple Ball with Bell. We were equally alarmed to learn that a dog may have injured himself while playing with this toy.
Dogs have been enjoying the Pimple Ball with Bell for more than a decade with over 500,000 units sold. In all the years this product has been on the market, this is the first injury of this nature that we are aware of. Unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen. That’s why we recommend that dogs always be supervised when they are playing with any toy. We take great care in developing safe products for pets and their owners.
At this point we have identified the problem and are not shipping any more Pimple Balls. We have contacted customers that carry this product and have asked them to immediately return their inventory.
Thank you for your concern and feedback. Please know that we are in direct communication with the pet owner whose dog was injured. At Four Paws, happy pets and satisfied pet owners are our number one priority. Rest assured we will continue to work hard to deliver on our priority.
Sincerely,
Allen Simon
President, CEO
Four Paws Products
Sent by Haley Birk on behalf of Allen Simon
Posted by: Owned by dog | August 21, 2008 3:10 PM
OMG! How horrible! Those poor dogs....I had a similiar toy for my lab, although it had a hole in both ends...I get it, about the suction thing, but I threw it out anyway....how awful....Although off the subject, sort of, personal shredders are another dangerous item, where dogs and cats have licked the shredder and lost their tongues or been seriously injured. Mine is always unplugged when not in use.
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Posted by: shredder | September 23, 2008 2:08 AM